SA swim team get warm welcome home

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 2, Chad le Clos of South Africa in the mens 100m butterfly semi final at the Aquatic Centre on August 2, 2012 in London, England
Photo by Roger Sedres / Gallo Images

Johannesburg - Hundreds of people turned up at OR Tambo International Airport to welcome back the South African swimming team on a cold Thursday morning.

The sound of vuvuzela's and South Africa flags could be heard and seen, as well as placards welcoming the team.

One of the placards read: “Chad Le Clos will you be my matric dance date?”

Also present, in uniform, were students from Crawford College, the alma mater of gold medal winner Cameron van der Burgh.

“It just makes you feel proud,” Crawford student and swimmer Robert Walker said.

Walker said knowing that Van Der Burgh came from the same swim team as he does, showed him what he could achieve.

“It inspires.”

Van Der Burgh won a gold medal in London on Sunday, July 29, for winning the 100m breaststroke in a world-record time of 58.46s.

Le Clos snatched gold from United States swimmer Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly final on July 31. On August 3 he won a silver medal, tying for second in the men's 100m butterfly in 51.44s. - Sapa